– Dr Mohammed Rizwan, Dr Ayesha Alvi
The Global Shift in Religious Identity: In an age marked by hyper-connectivity and digital saturation, the inner world of young people is increasingly shaded by deep internal crumbling, uncertainty, and a quiet search for meaning. This phenomenon basically emerges from the fact that many traditional religious structures are currently facing serious existential and philosophical challenges, coupled with scepticism that is giving rise to the emergence of religiously unaffiliated populace. The assertive discourse of New Atheism, with its deceptive rationalist critiques, confident rhetoric and an unprecedented reach machinery on social media has added a new layer of complexity to this ideological shift. Yet, what we are observing today is not a mass rejection of belief, but a transformation in how belief is questioned, explored, and lived.
These debates are not confined to lecture halls or theological writings rather they are unfolding informally across dinner tables, in late-night group chats, over steaming cups of chai in corner cafes, and in the echoing corridors of college campuses, reflecting a quiet but profound shift from a hesitant confession. These questions were not always polemical but deeply personal. Today’s Gen Z are asking questions about the faith their parents never dared to voice aloud, for instance:
“Do I really need a religion”?
“Can I have a personal God”?
“Do I need Religion to be moral”? What if I am content with being “None”?
“Do I need to follow rituals in order to be religious?”
“Why does religion feel so much like a set of rules?”
“Is belief in God enough or do I need to affiliate somewhere?”
Suffice to say, most of Gen Z and Gen Alpha are struggling with their religious identity, prompting a multitude of inquiries regarding their beliefs, the existence of God, and their comprehensive belief systems. This internal conflict manifests in many daily scenarios, ranging from a subtle remark in the rear of a lecture hall to late-night voice messages shared among friends.
For many, religion is like a software and update sort of affair; while some contend that their parents or grandparents follow it all the time, but somehow it doesn’t run on their system and they try to persuade others basically they are not anti-God, but don’t need to be labelled religious, rather “I’d prefer to simply be… ethical.”
Even for some other, though they still do believe in God, but feel nothing when praying just like they used to when they were a kid. Now, they meditate not because of fear, due to comfort but for like “searching their own path for achieving peace in life.”
These discussions are not isolated ones, they simply reflect a broader shift, one increasingly supported by global data released by Pew Research Centre.
Insights from the 2025 Pew Research Centre Report on Global Religious Change
Pew Research centre is a globally recognised nonpartisan “fact tank” based in Washington, D.C., established in 2004 by the Pew Charitable Trusts (its primary funder and financial supporter). Nevertheless, this organisation is known to provide rigorous data based on analytical reports and polling on wide range of social, demographic, political, technological, and religious trends all without advocating for specific policy positions. However, it is important to recognise that, like any other organisation, Pew Centre may have its own constraint and can be viewed through the lens of a capitalist framework. However, there is no denying that, internationally Pew Research’s data holds-up to wide cross-sectional credibility, while many countries rely on this data for formulating important policy decisions.
On June 9, 2025, Pew Research released a report entitled “How the Global Religious Landscape Changed from 2010 to 2020” based on the global data they have collected over a decade using over 2,700 sources, including censuses, demographic surveys, and population registers, on the number of followers of different religions. The report provides a detailed analysis of global religious changes between 2010 and 2020.
Their report caused a wave of concern within major religious circles especially structured religions such as Christianity. The report highlights the fastest-growing religion, and also shares figures about individuals who follow different worldviews and philosophies. The findings of this report are quite sensational and at times, surprisingly shocking, something that many have sensed: although religion is thriving quite well globally, its landscape is shifting dramatically especially among youth. One of the most striking takeaways from the report is the rise of the “nones,” those who identify with no religion at all.
This change reflects a broader cultural moment where religious identity, particularly in secularised and economically developed societies, is increasingly treated as optional, obsolete, or even regressive. At the forefront of this cultural shift stands New Atheism – a movement that, while no longer dominant in public discourse, has left a lasting intellectual and emotional impact on young audiences around the world.
This quiet drift away from faith doesn’t necessarily stem from hostility. Instead, it arises from the perceived irrelevance of religion to modern challenges, the disconnect between religious leaders and youth culture, or the dominance of secular ideologies that offer an illusion of freedom without responsibility. Young people are not rejecting spirituality per se, they are rejecting the way it is often packaged and presented.
More than 40% of millennials in countries like the U.S., Canada, and parts of Europe now say they have no religious affiliation. But the wave of disengagement from organised religion is no longer confined to the West. India, a country traditionally known for its deeply religious population, is also seeing subtle but important changes. While more than 90% of Indians still identify with a religion, Pew’s data indicates that among urban, English-speaking, and digitally active youth, a growing number are beginning to disengage, expressing spiritual uncertainty, frustration with religious institutions, or simply adopting an apathetic “religion is not for me” stance.
This article explores the question: how can Islam, in its true spirit and intellectual integrity, respond to this moment? We argue that Islam offers a compelling, comprehensive response to New Atheism and rising disaffiliation not merely through apologetic rebuttals but by re-presenting the spiritual, ethical, and rational foundations of Tawheed (the Oneness of God) and the Prophetic worldview.
The Myth of New Atheism’s Decline: Why It Still Matters
Today, some contemporary analysts argue that New Atheism once associated with prominent figures such as Richard Dawkins, Sam Harris, and Christopher Hitchens has lost its significance due to a decrease in media presence and its own internal inconsistencies. However, this is a misdiagnosis of the situation. Because New Atheism has evolved its strategies from direct confrontations towards more subtle methods like scepticism amplified by algorithms on social media, memes that trivialise the seriousness of religious commitments, and educational systems that favour secular humanism. As such, the ideological legacy of New Atheism continues to shape the discourse of younger generation about religion, science, and ethics. The recent Pew report support this argument, reflecting a direct effect of secular conditioning and exposure to anti-religious narratives during their formative years.
The assumption that New Atheism does not pose any big threat to the major religion in truth ignores its function as a gateway to broader disaffiliation, particularly among impressionable youth. It reduces faith to myth, ethics to utilitarianism, and purpose to survival. Therefore, a strategic and intellectually rigorous Islamic response is not just timely but it is most essential now.
Contemporary significance of Islam: Upholding Authenticity, Integrity, and Perspective
In a world where people are increasingly questioning about the traditional belief system using science-driven rationalism, perceived contradictions in religious texts, intellectually assertive lens of New Atheism or simply distancing themselves altogether from the very structured religions by citing that it’s outdated, irrational or oppressive, have all been the factors in the foreseen rise of the “nones”. In this debate, Islam could all the more ably respond to the new rising wave of “New Atheism” or the “nones” for the fact that Islam opens a perspective that feels both grounded and surprisingly relevant. It’s not just about faith; it’s about a coherent picture of how to look at life that so many feel missing elsewhere.
The Qur’an not only encourages questioning and contemplation but also posits a rationally cogent concept of God (Tawheed), free from anthropomorphism, and imbued with a moral sense of responsibility. Its theological clarity, preservation of scripture, integration of science and spirituality, and emphasis on social justice make it uniquely equipped to respond to doubts with reason, and to disillusionment with purpose. Moreover, Islam has maintained a clear foundation built on three strong pillars that work together to provide a comprehensive worldview that resonates with both the heart and intellect:
- Revelation (wahy) as a divinely anchored source of truth, it starts with the belief that God has communicated with humanity through revelation (like the Qur’an). This isn’t seen as opposing reason, but as an anchor – a source of truth beyond just our own limited human perspective. It answers the “big questions” about purpose and existence from a transcendental viewpoint.
- Reason (‘aql): As a companion, not a competitor, to faith. Islam actively values the intellect. Thinking, questioning, and exploring the world aren’t threats to faith; they’re essential tools. The Qur’an constantly invites reflection on creation, history, and society. Faith and reason aren’t enemies here; they’re partners on the same journey towards understanding.
- Human purpose (Ibadah & Akhlaq): Human life isn’t merely a random chance, occurrence or blind evolutions rather it carries a core purpose that is to serve God (Ibadah) and strive for moral excellence (good character, justice, compassion). This imbues a profound sense of direction, accountability, and inner fulfilment in the lives that would otherwise feel empty or indifferent. Through this lens, life becomes a journey of spiritual growth and ethical contribution, not just a series of biological or material event.
Why This Matters Against New Atheism?
The majority of modern scepticism, especially within movements like New Atheism, stands in a purely materialistic view: if science can’t measure it, it doesn’t exist. Under this perspective comes the belief that life has no inherent meaning, morality is merely a human invention, and we all are just coincidences in the universe which does not care, a fundamentally nihilistic outlook.
But this worldview leaves few very profound questions unanswered such as “How do we explain consciousness, love, justice, beauty, or free will”? These aren’t reducible to atoms or equations suddenly. Can it be that any kind of random chemical processes truly account for our sense of objective morality or the deep human longing for something “more”?
Islam gives a compelling alternative. It affirms that life has purpose, created by a conscious, intelligent Being. While science explains “how” the universe works, Islam addresses the “why”. It bridges this gap not by rejecting reason, but by harmonising it with revelation. The Qur’an encourages reflection and evidence-based belief, providing a deeper foundation for meaning, morality, and our inner experience.
Instead of reducing morality to social convenience or meaning to personal preference, Islam roots them in the timeless will of a Creator who is Just, Merciful, and Wise. This offers a coherent moral framework transcending individual subjectivity, giving life objective purpose and accountability, a rational and spiritually fulfilling understanding of reality. Crucially, Islam doesn’t force us to compartmentalise life. It provides a unified framework where science, ethics, and spirituality fit together seamlessly. It explains the physical world “and” our innate pull towards goodness and transcendence, addressing the whole human experience: what we see and what we deeply sense. Where materialism struggles with life’s biggest “why” questions – purpose, suffering, true justice – Islam provides answers rooted in divine purpose.
Intellectual Challenges of New Atheism and Islam’s Rebuttal
New Atheism often relies on a few core arguments:
- The problem of evil: How can a benevolent God allow suffering?
- Scientific naturalism: Science explains everything; God is redundant.
- Religion as a source of violence or repression.
- Faith as irrational or blind.
Islamic theology offers time-tested responses to each.
The Problem of Evil: Islam acknowledges the existence of suffering but frames it within a broader metaphysical and eschatological context i.e., life is a test (Qur’an 67:2), and suffering can have moral, spiritual, and societal functions. Moreover, the Islamic tradition affirms that ultimate justice will be realised in the afterlife, a dimension absent in atheistic frameworks.
Scientific Naturalism: Islam does not oppose science; it encourages inquiry. However, it rejects the metaphysical assumption that all truths must be empirically verifiable. Revelation addresses existential and moral questions that science cannot touch like the questions of purpose, meaning, and the unseen.
Religion and Violence: New Atheism often cites isolated instances of extremism to generalise about all religious traditions. However, Islamic history when viewed in full always reveals a civilization that fostered legal pluralism, interfaith dialogue, and scientific innovation.
Faith and Reason: Far from being blind, iman (faith) in Islam is supported by dalil (evidence), tadabbur (reflection), and burhan (proof). The Qur’an repeatedly challenges its reader to reflect (17:36, 3:190-191). Reason is not sidelined; it is sanctified.
Rising Disaffiliation: A Demographic and Ideological Concern
According to independent observation from Pew, religiously unaffiliated people now constitute 24.2% of the global population, positioning them as the third-largest group after Muslims and Christians. Their growth is not driven by demographic advantage or biological phenomenon rather through an ideological uprising, a conscious break away from both structured and non-structured religions, especially in secular, developed societies.
In just 10 years, the number of people identifying as religiously unaffiliated has surged 270 million, while Christianity has seen a net decline of over 106 million followers due to conversions alone. Behind these numbers there lies a powerful cultural undercurrent: many, particularly in the West, are no longer finding meaning in traditional churches, temples, or dogmas. Instead, they seek freedom from perceived restrictions, inconsistencies between theoretical doctrines and the practical realities observed in followers and institutions, or perceived outdated teachings especially regarding gender roles, sexuality, science, and interfaith relations.
There are Two Key Drivers that propel this religious reshaping:
- The Rise of Scientific Rationalism and Technology
In a world where artificial intelligence accurately predicts weather and where scientific explanations apparently clarify everything from earthquakes to human emotions, the dependence on religious narratives for understanding the universe is declining especially in a highly digitised or secular communities. It is reported that religious affiliation drops by an average of 3% per decade, as people are prioritising evidence over revelation, logic over faith. With science providing what was once sought from scripture, belief systems are now facing a profound existential challenge.
- Generational Shifts in Values
What is perhaps even more transformative is the voice of Gen Z, a generation which is raised on inclusivity, social justice, and authenticity. To them, religion, particularly in its institutionalised form, holds little appeal, leaving them feeling disconnected from transcendental experience. In the United States alone, 43% of adults under age 24 no longer affiliate with any organised religion. That’s nearly one in two young people. To them, the question isn’t “Which religion is true?” but rather “Do I need religion at all?”
The rise of the “nones” is not just a loss for religion rather it’s a call to re-evaluate how faith speaks to the heart and mind of the 21st-century human.
So, herein lies both a challenge and an opportunity for Islam. Islam is not the primary source from which its followers disaffiliate. Rather, in many parts of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, it is growing, both naturally and spiritually. However, due to globalisation of world, Islamic youth are not insulated. The ideological winds that erode Christianity today may seek to do the same to Islam tomorrow.
To address this, the Muslim world must invest in:
- Developing intellectually engaging curricula for youth.
- Creating spaces that encourage questioning and critical thinking grounded in adab (ethics).
- Implementing Contemporary da’wah that speaks the language of today’s youth like digital, visual, and philosophical.
- Leverage technology: Create digital madrasas using AI for personalised faith exploration, countering “algorithmic atheism” with accessible theology.
- Community rebuilding: Expand networks like halqas (study circles) to combat loneliness – a key driver of secularisation. In the UK, mosque-based mental health programmes reduce disaffiliation by ~22%.
- Ethical capitalism: Promote Islamic finance as an alternative to the existing exploitative systems which is attracting youth disillusioned by materialism.
How Islam Challenges the “Nones” and Reframes Spirituality
The term “religiously unaffiliated” does not necessarily mean complete spiritual emptiness. Many “nones” still hold believe in a higher power, search for meaning, and uphold ethical values. What they often reject is organised religion which they perceive as rigid, dogmatic, or out of touch.
Islam can present a different vision:
- A spiritual tradition rooted in direct connection with God (Allah) through salah, dhikr, and the Qur’an.
- An ethical framework that honours human dignity while balancing individual rights with community responsibilities.
- A rational theology that invites questioning (as exemplified Prophet Ibrahim (AS) in the Qur’an 2:260 without judgement.
In this sense, Islam does not simply refute the “nones”; it provides them something better: a purpose-driven life grounded in certainty, compassion, and transcendence.
So, while the disaffiliation trend on one side reflects real tensions between science and religion, between institutional rigidity and evolving human values, on the other hand it also reveals a more nuanced landscape. In reality, people are not turning away from spirituality altogether; they are seeking authenticity. And, to many, that authenticity is found not in abandoning all faith, but in rediscovering one that feels consistent, grounded, and whole.
The early Muslims recorded hadith on bones and leather not because of romanticism, but because truth was worth any sacrifice. Today, the tools may have changed such as smartphones, podcasts, Tik Toks but the mission remains the same: to make Islam understood, lived, and loved.
Let’s then take seriously the challenge of New Atheism, not because it is intellectually formidable, but because it is existentially corrosive. And let’s respond – not with reactionary sermons but with a vision of Islam that is as rooted as it is relevant, as spiritual as it is rational.
Only then can we reclaim faith in an age of doubt not just for Muslims, but for all of humanity seeking light in a darkening world.
